Taiwan

Taiwan Travel Guide

Situated off the coast of mainland China, mountainous Taiwan
buzzes with action. From thriving cities to its arresting natural
beauty, the island offers travellers an enticing menu of
attractions.

Chinese nationalists fled to Taiwan when the Communist Party
seized control in 1949. Under their leader, Chiang Kai-Shek, they
left the mainland with national treasures, gold, and foreign
reserves. Their goal was to regroup and retake China. They did not
and relations between the two parties remain tense. Still, Taiwan
has thrived since the civil war ended.

Today, its cities are wonderfully layered, with traditional folk
festivals and ancient temples existing alongside glass-fronted
boutiques and bustling streets. Visitors relish the harmonious
blend of old and new in one of Asia's great economic success
stories.

For nature lovers, Taiwan's national parks have some fascinating
wildlife species, many of which are rare or endangered. Popular
outings include train trips through the Alishan mountain range or
hiking in Taroko Gorge.

All told, visitors to Taiwan will enjoy the cream of Asian
sophistication, and some of the region's finest landscapes.